The 24-year-old unemployed man was arrested by Penang police at his home in Pontian, Johor, yesterday.

He was believed to have made RM34,000 from the scam since 2019.

Southwest district police chief Kamarul Rizal Jenal said the man would first strike up conversations with random people on WhatsApp and chat apps, offering sex services.

He said the man would use pictures of scantily clad women to convince his targets.

He would later threaten to screenshot the conversation and spread them on Facebook unless the victims paid up.

Kamarul said 28 handphone SIM cards were found at the man’s home. Police obtained an order to remand the suspect for three days and are investigating him for extortion under Section 384 of the Penal Code.

He said police hoped to solve at least four reported cases in Penang and Selangor with this arrest and requested other victims to contact him.

Kamarul advised the public not to misuse social media for immoral activities or commit criminal offences.